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U.S. says it will seek extradition of accused drug kingpin

January 12, 2004|By Items compiled from Tribune news services.

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA — Panama police have captured a Colombian drug kingpin believed responsible for "huge volumes" of narcotics entering the United States, and U.S. officials said Sunday that they will seek his extradition.

Panamanian officials early Saturday reported the capture of Arcangel de Jesus Henao Montoya in southern Panama.

Henao Montoya is believed to be a top leader of the Norte de Valle drug cartel, which operates out of Cali in southwestern Colombia.

"The United States has requested his extradition and is actively working with Panamanian and Colombian authorities on the issue," a U.S. official said.

Henao Montoya was taken to the capital, Panama City, according to Carlos Bares, the chief of Panama's national police. Others were arrested with him, but authorities would not say how many or who.